Feelin’ Alright: A Resilient Anthem of Survival and Hope
What a feeling it must have been to be a rock fan in the early ’70s. The world was changing fast, and the music reflected that tumultuous, exhilarating shift. Among the titans of the era, one band stood out for its raw, unfiltered power and relentless energy: Grand Funk Railroad. They were the kind of band you felt in your bones, a sonic force of nature that bulldozed its way through radio airwaves and concert halls.
Amidst their arsenal of hard-rock anthems, a surprising gem emerged, a song that wasn’t their own but that they made entirely their own: “Feelin’ Alright.” Now, this wasn’t the original. That honor belongs to the great soul-jazz musician Dave Mason, who penned it for the legendary band Traffic back in 1968. Mason’s version was a groovy, mellow tune, laced with a certain quiet introspection. But when Grand Funk Railroad got their hands on it, they transformed it. They turned it into a primal scream, a triumphant declaration of resilience in the face of life’s hardships. Their version, featured on their 1971 live album Live Album, wasn’t just a cover; it was a complete reinvention.
The story behind this song, especially in the context of Grand Funk Railroad, is one of artistic ambition and pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. They took a song that had already found some success and injected it with their signature brand of heavy, blues-infused rock. The band’s live performances were the stuff of legend, a non-stop barrage of sound and spectacle, and their rendition of “Feelin’ Alright” captured that essence perfectly. It became a staple of their live show, a testament to their ability to connect with an audience on a visceral level.
The single’s chart performance was a testament to its widespread appeal. While the original Dave Mason version had charted, it was Grand Funk Railroad’s powerful interpretation that truly resonated with a mass audience. Their version, released as a single, soared up the charts, peaking at a respectable No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was a significant achievement for a band primarily known for their blistering hard rock, showing that their sound could translate into mainstream success.
More than just a song, “Feelin’ Alright” became an anthem for an entire generation. It was a song that acknowledged the struggles and anxieties of the time—the Vietnam War, political unrest, social upheaval—but ultimately chose to celebrate survival. The lyrics, “Boy, you feelin’ alright? / I got a feeling you’re not feelin’ so good,” perfectly captured that inner turmoil. But the chorus, with its powerful, triumphant refrain, provided a release, a moment of catharsis. It was a song about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and carrying on, no matter how tough things got.
For those of us who came of age in that era, this song is more than just a melody. It’s a time capsule. It’s the soundtrack to long drives in beat-up cars, the background music to late-night conversations about the future, and the triumphant roar that filled concert halls. It’s a reminder of a time when music was loud, unapologetic, and fiercely honest. It’s the sound of a band at the peak of their powers, taking a piece of someone else’s art and making it their own, forever cementing their place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll legends. So, put it on, turn it up, and let that feeling of resilience wash over you. It still sounds just as good as it did all those years ago.